Orange City, FL – The conclusion of the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office’s (VCSO) “Operation The Sun Has Set” has led to the arrest of 21 people suspected of being involved in drug activity in Orange City.

On Tuesday morning, detectives with the West Volusia Narcotics Task Force executed two search warrants at a community known as CJ’s Nursery located at 711 Sunset Ave. For months, the task force received complaints, tips, and anonymous phone calls regarding drug activity at the property.

The warrants allowed law enforcement entry into a two-story residence and a second home on the property. The Sheriff’s Office SWAT, East Volusia Narcotics Task Force, VCSO Districts 2 and 6 Criminal Investigations Divisions, Deltona Narcotics Enforcement Team, and the Orange City Police Department aided in carrying out the warrants. The second warrant was obtained for the second home due to the likelihood that people in the home were also involved in narcotics and harboring fugitives.

The VCSO found 27 people at the property and arrested 21 of them. 62-year-old Charles Mascaro, who lives on and owns the property, was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of meth with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The following list details the other defendants and their charges:

Volusia County Code Enforcement and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also found several environmental law violations. According to the VCSO, additional charges for those violations are pending.

VCSO detectives believe that the people who regularly go to the property are responsible for some of the property crimes that take place on the west side of the county. They hope that Tuesday’s arrest will yield positive results and lower the amount of property crime in the area.

“I’m very proud of the great work our detectives and all the units did in arresting these criminals,” Sheriff Mike Chitwood said. “Orange City residents can breathe easier knowing these vagrants are behind bars.”

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